[Extract]

. Ph[iladelphi]a Tuesday morning 12th March 1776

... An armed vessel purchased for our province in Statia is arrived here with 2000 lb of powder, & a cargo to a very considerable amount, The greatest part of wh is the property of our Province: the most material which is coarse linens.
² I wait with impatience to hear the event of Capt Nicholsons attack of the Otter: Since R. Lee brought 1st word that he was to sail in 2 hours after he left Baltimore to fight the Otter I fancy they will think better of it: as I fancy the Otter is superior to Nicholson's ship.

P.S. Since the arrival of 27½ Tons of powder of wh I informed you in my last letter 5 Tons are come to this port: I believe I told you that the vessel brought 25 Tons of powder ー she brought 27½ Tons, but only [2] hundred stand of arms & 2 Tons of Saltpetre Instead of 5 Tons.